Tag: al-qaeda

Welcome back! As always after an extended break, we will not be recapping everything that happened while I was gone. If I've missed a story you think is important, you can always drop me a line and let me know. ISIS Terrorism analysts say that recently acquired evidence shows that ISIS, despite losing its territorial … Continue reading Middle East update: January 7 2019

AL-QAEDA Almost 17 years later, LA Times correspondent Nabih Boulos argues that al-Qaeda's adaptations may have brought it to a stronger position today than the one it was in prior to the 9/11 attacks: What U.S. officials didn’t grasp, said Rita Katz, director of the SITE Intelligence Group, in a recent phone interview, is that Al Qaeda … Continue reading Asia/Africa update: September 10 2018

ASIA AFGHANISTAN At least three Taliban attacks--one overnight in Farah province and two on Tuesday in Logar province--have killed dozens of Afghan forces and civilians. At least four pro-government fighters were killed in Farah. Four women were killed in the crossfire during one of the battles in Logar. At least 12 Afghan fighters were killed … Continue reading Asia/Africa update: August 7 2018

SYRIA Analyst Giorgio Cafiero writes on the lingering threat ISIS poses in Syria: The Islamic State (ISIS or IS) has lost 98 percent of the territory that it controlled in Iraq and Syria several years ago, a territory equivalent in size to Great Britain. Yet any doubt that IS remains a threat to the Ba’athist … Continue reading Middle East update: August 6 2018

ASIA AFGHANISTAN The Pentagon says it conducted an airstrike in Afghanistan's Kunar province on Wednesday targeting "a senior leader of a designated terrorist organization." They won't release the name, but it's believed they were targeting Mullah Fazlullah, one of the leader of the Pakistani Taliban. It sure is going to be awkward if the US military … Continue reading Asia/Africa update: June 14 2018

I'm posting this a little early in case the thunderstorm we're about to get knocks out our power. There should be at least one more post tonight if the electric grid permits. IRAQ So this is kind of a big deal: Moqtada al-Sadr was leading in Iraq’s parliamentary election with over half of the votes … Continue reading Middle East update: May 12-13 2018

ASIA ARMENIA Nikol Pashinyan, seen below with a megaphone in front of his face, was elected Armenia's new prime minister on Tuesday, one week after failing to secure the post and several days after agreeing to call off the protests caused by his failure to secure the vote last week. Pashinyan won by a 59-42 … Continue reading World update: May 8 2018